Franz Kafka Museum, Prague

Born in 1883 and gone by 1924, Franz Kafka may not be widely claimed as a Czech writer, given that he wrote in German, but he lived almost his entire life in Prague. Haunted by anxiety, alienation, and a sense of bureaucratic absurdity, he became one of the defining voices of modern literature. So it feels entirely appropriate that the city he wandered through and wrestled with is home to a museum dedicated to his complex legacy.

Rather than playing it safe, the museum fully leans into the strangeness of Kafka’s world. The design is not just a collection of objects behind glass—it’s an immersive dive into his eerie, paradoxical universe. While some find the experience a tad eccentric, the curators clearly aimed for atmosphere over traditional museum norms—and in that sense, they certainly deserve appreciation for their effort.

Prepared to be greeted by a mix of manuscripts, letters, first editions, photographs, and even old newspaper obituaries, all carefully arranged in moody, dimly lit spaces that feel more like psychological theatre than historical archive. Head down to the basement and the surrealism intensifies. One installation features a menacing model of the torture machine from “In the Penal Colony”—a visual that may stick with you long after you leave. Safe to say, it’s not the best choice for a cheerful family outing or a first date, but for fans of Kafka’s unnerving narratives, it’s pure gold.

Upstairs, the experience continues with a blend of audiovisual displays and theatrical effects that capture the themes Kafka lived and wrote—claustrophobia, isolation, and quiet dread. There’s a certain brilliance in the way the museum channels not just the man’s biography, but the emotional texture of his work.

And don’t forget the courtyard outside, where David Černý’s notorious “Pissing Figures” statue steals the spotlight. Two bronze men stand urinating into a pool shaped like the Czech Republic—both irreverent and oddly fitting, given Kafka’s enduring skepticism toward systems and symbols of authority.

Tip: To get the most out of your visit, consider booking a guided tour in advance. Tours are available in several languages, including Czech, English, German, French, and Russian.